Thursday, September 3, 2015

The Eight by Katherine Neville

Title:  The Eight
Series:  The Eight #1
Author:  Katherine Neville
Publication Date:  July 21/15 by Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller (1st published 1988)
Length:  610pgs
Genre:  suspense/thriller
Shelf:  review
Rating: ★★★★★

Back Cover Blurb:

Empire building was not Charlemagne’s only legacy. Within his chess set is a terrible power, a devastating power, a power no one should have. To protect the world, nuns assigned to keep the set hidden away dig up Charlemagne’s bejeweled, mystical chess set and hide its pieces across the globe so that no one could ever use its powers for ill.

Now, someone is trying to unleash the terrible power held within that ancient chess set—and only three women, from two different eras, can stop them. In the 20th century, a young computer expert named Catherine Velis has been pulled into this power struggle that spans more than two centuries, leading her on a quest that will risk her life against diabolical forces more powerful than she could have ever imagined.

Praise for The Eight:

“A big, rich two-tiered confection of a novel…a rousing, amusing game.” –San Francisco Chronicle

“With alchemical skill, Neville blends modern romance, historical fiction, and medieval mystery…and comes up with gold.” –People

“Even readers with no interest in chess will be swept into this astonishing fantasy-adventure, a thoroughly accomplished first novel…Neville has great fun rewriting history and making it all ring true. With two unbelievable heroines, nonstop suspense, espionage, murder, and a puzzle that seems the key to the whole Western mystical tradition, this spellbinder soars above the level of first-rate escapist entertainment.”–Publishers Weekly

“A fascinating piece of entertainment that manages to be both vibrant and cerebral…few will find it resistible.” –Los Angeles Times Book Review

About the author:

Katherine Neville’s novels have been published in more than 80 countries, enriched by her 20 year career as an international computer executive and consultant, which took her to live in six countries on three continents and 26 of the United States.

Visit her at: http://www.katherineneville.com/

My Review:

This novel was interesting and perplexing, thought inducing and chill seeking. The different areas that Neville worked into the story were fantastic. History and mythology rule the day while adventure had me on the edge of my seat. This novel is fantastically and captivatingly written and plotted.

The flipping back and forward from the past to the present allows readers to get to know a myriad of characters who are all important to the tale. The contrast between present day characters and those in the past allowed each to shine to their fullest.

This novel may be long, but it was unendingly fascinating. I read it in a single day, unable to put it down. It definitely sets the bar for all novels in the genre. I can’t wait to delve further into the world created by this author.

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